NEW YORK (AP) – A U.S. marine who was killed on his second tour of duty in Iraq was laid to rest Saturday on Long Island. Relatives and friends gathered at the Our Holy Redeemer Church in Freeport on a brisk, but brilliant autumn day to remember Sgt. Julian Arechaga, who had hoped to go to college and become a police officer.
Arechaga, 23, of Oceanside, was among three Marines killed in Iraq’s Anbar province on Oct. 8 when their vehicle was destroyed by an explosive.
Mourners remembered the Baldwin native as a military man, through and through, who enlisted right after high school in 2002 and volunteered to go back to Iraq after his first deployment ended last summer.
“He was very serious and very dedicated to his job,” his sister, Sheyla Randazzo, said in an interview with Newsday. “He liked being in the military more than anything.”
Arechaga’s military career was short, but fierce. He served a combat tour in Afghanistan before his two in Iraq. His last deployment was scheduled to end in March.
Following the service, Arechaga was interred at Greenfield Cemetery in Uniondale.
Killed along with him on Oct. 8 were Lance Cpl. Jon E. Bowman, 21, of Dubach, La. and Pfc. Shelby J. Feniello, 25, of Connellsville, Pa. Relatives said the men were rushing to aid other Marines involved in a fire fight when their vehicle was hit.
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